Samsung's Android 3.1-based tablet is the first to give Apple's iPad a real run for its money -- most of the time

Introduction:

With summer in full swing and many people taking some much-needed vacations, tablets are increasingly becoming the gadget of choice to carry along on those trips away from home. Obviously, they’re much more portable than most traditional laptops, but even more, they’ve evolved tremendously to offer an experience that’s adaptive to our ever-growing needs. Although they share many physical characteristics with their designs, both the Apple iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 are seemingly regarded as the cream of the crop in the tablet market right now. Surprisingly priced evenly at the starting cost of $500, the ultimate question comes down to which one is the better of the two.


Design:

By now, we all know the story behind these two razor thin tablets, though, it’s worth noting that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 takes the crown as being the thinnest and lightest tablet. To the eye, the two look almost alike in terms of thickness, but it’s only by a hairline that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 edges out the iPad 2. Still, we actually prefer the more refined and polished construction of the iPad 2 versus the plasticy nature of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. True, there’s nothing too polarizing with their straightforward designs, but the premium nature of the iPad 2 undoubtedly makes it the more highly prized of the two – especially when they sport the same price point. The plastic helps the Tab 10.1 to be lighter though.

Again, we find yet another similarity between the two tablets since they sport the best-looking displays we’ve seen grace tablets thus far. On one hand the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s PLS-LCD display sizes up at 10.1” with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, whereas the iPad 2 comes in with a 9.7” IPS display and 1024 x 768 resolution. Honestly, they both exhibit a lot of detail, luminance, and vivid color production to wow anyone from afar, but after meticulously looking at both, the iPad 2 has a more natural looking color production. In fact, there is a slight blue tinge with the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s display with the color white – while at extreme angles, the color black turns to a subtle grey color.

Both the dedicated power buttons and volume rockers on the two tablets are distinguishable to the touch, while offering a sensible amount of feedback when pressed, but the iPad 2’s buttons jut out just a tiny bit more. In terms of other ports, they both flaunt proprietary data/charging connectors and 3.5mm headset jacks. The iPad 2 has a single speaker located on the back corner of the tablet, while the Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers stereo support with its left and right speakers.

It’s worth noting that their batteries are not user removable and will require you to send it out for service if you need them to be replaced. Additionally, they don’t provide any means of supplementing their internal storage capacities – meaning, you’re stuck with whatever you pick.

Interface and Functionality:

Considering that dual-core processors are all the rage nowadays, it’s not surprising to find them on these two premier tablets – a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 1GHz Apple A5 processor on the iPad 2. Needless to say, they’re more than equipped to handle the rigorous demands of their respective tablet platforms. With most basic operations like opening up apps and maneuvering between their homescreens, they’re effortlessly accomplished with barely any pause with their operation. However, it’s quite evident that the iPad 2 is more gracious with its movement since everything has this wickedly smooth feel to it. Interestingly enough, there is some evidence of slowdown when navigating across the homescreen of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in portrait – though, it’s probably related to Honeycomb’s programming.

Ultimately, the biggest differentiator between the two is the tablet experience they have to offer. We’ve visited this before and it’s more of the same between the two as iOS on the iPad 2 is by far the easier and straightforward platform with its simplistic nature. Oppositely, there is a sprinkling of complexity attached to Android 3.1 Honeycomb on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, but it undoubtedly offers a ton more appreciable personalization with its live wallpapers and widget offerings. Moreover, Honeycomb better implements multi-tasking and notifications, which is still something not as clearly defined with the current available iOS experience.

When it comes to inputting text, neither has a drastic advantage over the other since their on-screen keyboards are well sized and responsive – thus, minimizing mistakes while speed typing. However, if you’d rather input text a different way, say like using your voice instead, Honeycomb on Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers voice recognition to easily speak what you want to write. Besides that, the overall traditional typing experiences on both tablets are identical to one another in terms of functionality, speed, and responsiveness.

If Gmail is your kind of thing, then it’s a no-brainer reason why you shouldn’t stick with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on this one – especially when it’s running  Google’s tablet optimized platform. Of course, there are some additional features available at your disposal that tastefully emulates the desktop experience on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. However, the layouts of both email interfaces are basically the same as they utilize a familiar two-panel layout that’s more than informative and adept at displaying emails in full fidelity.

Taking a gander at their organizer apps, like the calendar and address book, they’re closely similar in presentation since they fully take advantage of their confines. For example, you have a two panel interface with their respective address books as one side acts as your scrollable list, while the other displays all relevant information associated to the selected contact. Again, we see similar elements in place with their calendar apps.

Internet and Connectivity:

Thanks to its Adobe Flash support, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers you that true desktop-like experience with web browsing that some are sure to adore and appreciate. Although it’s lacking on the iPad 2, it still delivers a resounding experience seeing that it’s easily more fluid with its navigational operation – like kinetic scrolling and pinch zooming.  Complex pages load in a timely manner with both, but we still have to hand it to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on this one seeing that it has a tiny bit more features, like Flash support and incognito mode, that rounds out its overall appeal.

There is nothing out of the ordinary with these Wi-Fi only models, especially when they retain a solid connection to our local Wi-Fi hotspot. Furthermore, they both sport the same set of connectivity options like Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, aGPS, and their proprietary dock connection ports. As we know, the iPad 2 is available in 3G form with AT&T and Verizon in the US, but the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will more than likely have the cutting edge when we see the LTE version arrive for Big Red.

Camera:

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the superior one when it comes to snapping photos. Blatantly, its 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera produces images that are filled with better detail and color production. Looking at the same shots, you can clearly see that the iPad 2’s results are filled with soft details and washed out looking colors – making it look rather muddy and hazy overall. With macro shots, it’s obvious that images taken by the Galaxy Tab 10.1 are sharper looking. Additionally, there’s a noticeable amount of digital noise evident with the iPad 2’s shots in low lighting, which is something less prominent with the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

At the same time, 720p video recording with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is considerably superior again versus the iPad 2’s production – and it’s like night and day between the two! Granted that they both shoot at the rate of 29 frames per second, we notice that there is a slight jerkiness to the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s video, but it’s nothing too detracting from its overall good quality.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Sample Video:



Apple iPad 2 Sample Video:




Multimedia:

Sadly, there isn’t any headway with the music player on the iPad 2 seeing that it carries over the same one that we saw with its predecessor. Naturally, it’s more than functional in playing some tunes, but it’s obviously lacking that polarizing presentation that’s found with Cover Flow on the iPhone. However, the music player on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is tastefully full of eye-catching visuals – especially with its 3D like carousel interface. Packing on left and right speakers, the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s output is rather neutral in tone, and it’s surprising to find the single speaker of the iPad 2 outputting deeper bass tones.

Without a doubt, both tablets excel when it comes down to playing high-definition videos since their processors effortlessly work in producing smooth playback. And since they have the ideal screen size for watching videos, they present a conducive experience for those long trips on the road. However, Galaxy Tab 10.1’s 16:9 aspect ratio is the preferred choice since for movies, while the 4:3 screen of the iPad is better for internet browsing.

Unfortunately, neither offer any dedicated HDMI-out ports to easily share content with the big screen. However, you can accomplish that and get treated to a mirrored experienced with the iPad 2 by using an optional HDMI-out dongle. With the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, it’ll likely emulate the same functionality, but it’ll probably be in the form of some kind of pedestal dock.

Again, there is nothing new present with the photo gallery on the iPad 2 and it pales in comparison to the glitzy presentation and sharing prowess of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. In fact, the 3D stacked look of the gallery app on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 emulates a field of depth as you tilt the tablet accordingly. Besides the bedazzling look of the gallery, there’s a decent amount of sharing options with the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Oppositely, the only sharing function that you can execute with the iPad 2 is sending photos via email – that’s all!

Although both tablets are available in 16GB and 32GB varieties, it’s only the iPad 2 that pushes it up one notch by offering a 64GB version. Happily, we’re still more than content to see pricing on the same level with both tablets – even though we have seen others priced below the $500 mark.


Software:

On the surface, the YouTube apps on both tablets might have the same layout with its presentation, but we slightly lean towards the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on this one since there is more control given to the user. Specifically, you have the ability to choose either low or high quality with the Wi-Fi Galaxy Tab 10.1, but with the iPad 2, you can only get low quality if you’re streaming over a 3G connection – with high quality enabled all the time with Wi-Fi connections. Furthermore, the YouTube app on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 packages in the usual variety of sharing functions that we come to expect out of Android.

Being a Google powered platform and all, there’s no denying that the Google Maps experience with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is going to be drastically better than the iPad 2. First and foremost, you get free voice guided turn-by-turn directions with Google Maps Navigation on the Android tablet. Secondly, it provides integration with some of Google’s other services – like Google Talk, Latitude, and Buzz. And finally, 3D map view with select cities just about rounds out the depth of features found with the Galaxy Tab 10.1. As for the iPad 2, it only delivers the most basic functions with Google Maps – such as getting directions, enabling satellite view, and getting street view.

Primarily because it had a head start, there are more tablet-optimized third party apps found with iOS on the Apple iPad 2 versus the Honeycomb powered Galaxy Tab 10.1. Despite being approximately 3 months old at this point, we still find a lack of venerable third party Honeycomb apps in the Android Market.

Performance:

Conclusion:

Literally, it’s a coin toss between the two mainly because they are priced evenly and have their own unique strengths that appeal to certain individuals out there. In terms of design though, we know that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has the prestigious title of being the thinnest and lightest, but when thinking about their starting price of $500, the iPad 2’s thin profile, solid construction, and choice of premium materials radiates more value for the buck. However, Android 3.1 Honeycomb on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers a higher degree of personalization, better implementation of notifications, and an integrated experience that’s barely contested by the iPad 2. Additionally, Samsung’s tablet is the go-to device if you’re intimately interested in shooting photos and videos. In the end, it’s truly the platform experience that vastly separates the two, but no matter which way you dissect it, both are undoubtedly regarded as being the top contenders in this ever-growing tablet space right now.